Over 342 minors were arrested in Abu Dhabi in the first six months of 2018 for driving their parents' vehicles without a licence, the police revealed on Saturday. The police said the minors caused 17 traffic accidents during this period.

Brigadier Khalifa Al Khaili, director of the central operations directorate, blamed lack of parental control over children's activities for the illegal practice. In most of the cases, the teenagers were found driving without any kind of safety gear.

In the cases of 256 of the arrested teenagers, the police summoned their parents, who undertook a pledge that they would not let their children drive. The police warned them that if caught a second time, strict legal action would be taken against them.

In the rest of the cases, the 86 teenagers were caught riding without a licence for a second time and were referred to the family court.

Brig Al Khaili called on families to monitor their children's activities to prevent dangerous violations like driving without licences or racing.

SOURCE : KHALEEJTIMES